Experience of sexual harassment and action taken in response for it by working women

Pages: 1157-1160
Kishwar Jahan (Department of Psychology, University of Allahabad, Allahabad, UP)

Harassment is the most widespread form of violence against women (Fitzgerald & Ormerod, 1993; Fitzgerald & Shullman, 1993; Gutek, 1985; Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. The study seeks to identify what are the actions taken in response to sexual harassment among working married and working unmarried women employees. A qualitative study was done, with the help of an open ended questionnaire constructed by the researcher. Sample size of the present study was 43 working women (19 married and 24 unmarried women) in the age range of 21 to 28. To find the result content analysis and chi squire was done and results revealed that vast majority of female worker experience sexual harassment. And there were no any differences between married and unmarried working women reaction against sexual harassment. Results shows they would rather shun the abuser rather than report him to either management or workmates. because Socio-cultural factors dictated their varying responses ranging from concealment due to fear of shame to ignorance of channel of legal redress.